Borough brews up for Fairtrade push

Katherine Payne, manager of The Vine coffee shop and Christian bookshop in The Borough, Hinckley, which will be hosting a Big Brew event as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 on February 25 from 9am to 4pm, when everyone buying a hot drink will be offered a free slice of home-made Fairtrade cake.

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Shops and community groups across the borough are preparing to mark Fairtrade Fortnight with a raft of special events and taste-testing sessions.

The two-week campaign, which runs from February 24 to March 8, aims to encourage more people to buy ethically-traded food and goods.

Hinckley and Bosworth is recognised as a Fairtrade borough because of the number of retailers, food outlets and community groups already selling, serving and using Fairtrade food and drink.

Shoppers can be assured that producers of goods carrying the Fairtrade symbol will have been paid a fair wage and work in reasonable conditions.

There are no such gurantees with similar products not bearing the Fairtrade mark.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s Fairtrade champion Councillor Mathew Hulbert (LibDem, Barwell) said: “Times may be tight but we are still compassionate people.

“It doesn’t take any more effort and by buying a Fairtrade products we are showing we are compassionate consumers.

“We’re hoping people will get involved and show their support for Fairtrade during the fortnight and beyond.

“It is important because it ensures that producers in developing countries get paid a fair wage and work in better conditions.”

Events already planned include a special Fairtrade Wriggly Readers session at Hinckley Library, to be attended by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, at 10am on Tuesday February 25.

Also on Tuesday, The Vine coffee shop next to Hinckley United Reformed Church in The Borough, will be holding a Big Brew event from 9am to 4pm, where people will be offered a free slice of homemade Fairtrade cake with every hot drink purchased.

There will be a quiz which can be entered for a donation to Traidcraft, a UK based Fairtrade retailer, with a prize box of Fairtrade chocolates on offer to the winner at the end of the fortnight.

During the morning of Friday February 28, Hinckley Co-operative supermarket will be offering tasters of Fairtrade food and drink.

Then on Saturday March 1, St Catherine’s Church in Burbage will host a Green Fair and there will be a Fairtrade stall at Burbage Farmers’ Market, which runs from 9am until noon.

A Fairtrade breakfast will be served at Hinckley United Reformed Church in The Borough on Sunday March 2.

Other events are planned and more are expected to be added.

To keep up-to-date please check the borough council website at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

The borough council also runs a Fairtrade forum, led by Cllr Hulbert and the council’s climate change officer Jane Neachell, with volunteer members from churches and groups across the borough.

It organises promotional events and presents an annual Fairtrade Retailer of the Year award in recognition of sellers’ support for the cause.

There is more information on Twitter @LE10Fairtrade or on Facebook by searching for Hinckley and Bosworth Fairtrade Forum.